Shale gas may be an answer to the UK’s energy needs but how much fossil fuel is known to exist?
Figures from BP in 2011 said there are 1267 billion barrels of oil, 54 years’ supply at current production rates.
Of natural gas, there are believed to be 196.1 trillion cubic metres or 59 years’ worth of supplies.
There are also 860,938 million tonnes of coal – enough to last 217 years.
Source: Spectator, Barometer, 6 July 2013.